Hair artifact on mammogram

Case contributed by Stefano Pacifici
Diagnosis not applicable

Presentation

First routine mammography after undergoing reductive mammoplasty.

Patient Data

Age: 50 years
Gender: Female
mammography

On right CC view, outer quadrants, is visible a large, dense, spiculated area, close to multiple thin curvilinear opacity suggestive of overlapping hair, although the patient had a short haircut. 

mammography

Repeated view has confirmed the artifact nature of opacity due to hair projection (the patient was just coming from her hairdresser, who applied a restructuring cream).

Case Discussion

The recognition of common artifacts is important to avoid misdiagnosis. 

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